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Soldier fitness program opens to family members

On Jan. 15, the U.S. Army made resilience assessment and training available online to family members of soldiers.

The Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program, or CSF, consists of elements meant to assess and improve people’s overall strength in five dimensions: social, emotional, spiritual, family and physical.

Soldiers have been participating in this program for several months, and now their family members can benefit, as well.

"The CSF program will build our family members up as the Army is currently providing very similar training to soldiers," Dana Whitis, family programs specialist for Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, said.

Adding, "This training will empower them to face life challenges with their soldier – as a team."

Family members will have the opportunity to begin by taking the Global Assessment Tool, or the GAT. This private, online assessment was designed to measure a person’s strength in four of the dimensions.

The GAT was launched for soldiers Oct. 1, 2009, and is required to be complete by May 31, 2010.

The survey has been redesigned to meet the needs of family members so that they, too, can identify their baseline in each dimension and immediately begin training to enhance their resilience.

The online training comes in the form of Comprehensive Resilience Modules.

These modules were created with the intent to provide people with tools and skills needed to immediately begin enhancing their coping and communication skills, among others needed to more effectively communicate with your spouse or deal with adversity, Army officials said.

"[By participating in the CSF program I’ve learned] that the use of good questions and knowledge of personal strengths can change perspective," Danielle Corenchuk, Army family member, said, "and [can] lead to positive outcomes and effective communications."

As the program continues to evolve, so will the tools available to family members. Currently four Comprehensive Resilience Modules are available to family members, but many more are currently in development.

Soldiers who have already benefited from the program recognize how training can be implemented at home. "The most valuable take away I received thus far is the re-energized feeling of hope," Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Holden said.

Adding, "This [training] couldn’t have come at a better time for me and my family. I can’t wait to get home and use these tools in my family. It’s like a light bulb has been turned on in my head."

As the nation moves towards its ninth year of conflict, the Army recognizes the critical role family members play in strengthening our nation. Strong, resilient family members are essential to the Army, and this program will ensure our family members are not just strong, but "Army Strong," officials said.

For more information, or to take the GAT (AKO log-in required), visit www.army.mil/csf.

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